Italy - Teatro La Fenice ('the Phoenix'), Venice's celebrated opera house which was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1996, is now set to re-open. The 1996 fire was a devastating blow, coming just days before its scheduled reopening after a much-needed major refurbishment, and echoing a previous fire which destroyed the theatre in 1836. The newly restored theatre is now scheduled to open in December 2003.

While the style of the venue is identical to its predecessor, its lighting and sound systems are being brought right up to date with a lighting and control system from ETC Teatro, including an ETC Emphasis control system, an Express console, Sensor dimming, a Unison architectural lighting control system and an extensive Ethernet and DMX installation.

Believed to be the first Italian opera house to install a sound reinforcement system, La Fenice has opted for a d&b audiotechnik system, installed by GMEP-Molpass under the watchful eye of sound designer Paolo Molina, who specified a variety of d&b equipment to take account of the building's unique acoustics. d&b F1222, C690, C7-SUB and MAX loudspeakers are used, driven by d&b's A1 and E-PAC power amplifier controllers.

A major inauguration ceremony is scheduled for December to mark the official reopening of La Fenice, but the theatre should be fully open for business by early 2004.


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